Honda Bikes

Honda Activa
September turned out to be a good month for two-wheeler manufacturers, as both YoY and MoM sales growth were positive

Placed at second place with sales of 5,00,881 units in domestic market, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) was among the top gainers in September. The company registered YoY growth of 9.90%, as compared to 4,55,776 units sold in September last year.
Honda two-wheeler domestic sales September 2020
Activa continues to be the top selling Honda two-wheeler with a total of 2,57,900 units sold in  September. YoY growth is 3.60%, as compared to 2,48,939 units sold in September last year. In numbers, Activa contributed more than 50% of all two-wheelers sold by Honda.
Honda Two Wheelers Domestic Sales Sep 2020
At number two is CB Shine, with 1,18,004 units sold in September. YoY sales are up by an impressive 32.75%, as compared to 88,893 units sold in September last year. CB Shine contributed 23.56% to the company’s sales in September. Activa and CB Shine together account for 75% of Honda Two Wheeler India’s total domestic sales.
At number three is Honda Dio with 33,639 units sold in September. Dio has registered negative YoY growth of -13.19%, as compared to 38,752 units sold in September last year. Percentage contribution in overall Honda two-wheeler sales is 6.72%.
At fourth place is Unicorn 160 that was launched in its BS6 avatar earlier this year in February. A total of 31,242 units were sold and percentage contribution was 6.24% in September. Top four – Activa, CB Shine, Dio and Unicorn account for 88% of Honda’s total sales in India for Sep 2020.
No
Honda Domestic
Sep-20
Sep-19
1
Activa
2,57,900
2,48,939
2
CB Shine
1,18,004
88,893
3
Dio
33,639
38,752
4
Unicorn 160
31,242
0
5
Dream
19,667
22,742
6
Livo
16,894
14,601
7
Grazia
9,854
8,523
8
Hornet 2.0
8,237
0
9
X-Blade
5,444
2,488
10
Unicorn 150
0
22,989
11
Aviator
0
4,495
12
Hornet 160R
0
3,323
13
CBR250R
0
31
–
Total
5,00,881
4,55,776
Honda Dream takes the fifth place with 19,667 units sold in September. YoY sales growth is down by -13.52%, as compared to 22,742 units sold September last year. Honda Dream contributed 3.93% to the company’s sales in September.
Other products in top ten include Livo (16,894 units), Grazia (9,854), Hornet 2.0 (8,237), and X-Blade (5,444). All of these have registered positive YoY growth. Newly launched Hornet 2.0 has registered sales of 8,237 units in September.
Honda two-wheeler exports September 2020
While domestic sales were buoyant, Honda’s exports have registered double-digit de-growth in September. A total of 25,978 units were exported, which is YoY de-growth of -12.73%. Exports during the corresponding period last year stood at 29,767 units.
Honda Two Wheelers Exports Sep 2020
Most exported Honda two-wheeler in September is Navi with a total of 5,452 units. YoY growth has zoomed 192.49%, as compared to 1,864 units exported in September last year. At number two is CB Twister with exports of 4,420 units. YoY growth is 750.00%, as compared to just 520 units exported in the corresponding period last year. At number three is Hornet 160R with exports of 4,037 units. YoY growth is 49.96%, as compared to 2,692 units exported in September last year.
Apart from these three, all other products have negative YoY growth. Dio is at fourth place with exports of 3,807 units whereas CB Shine takes the fifth spot with 3,328 units. Other products in top 10 include Livo (1,100 units), Grazia (960), Dream (910), X-Blade (732), and Unicorn 160 (672). More

Honda Forza 125
Forza range of scooters from Honda is said to be one of the most popular Maxi scooter ranges going around

A few days ago Honda unveiled its top of the line maxi scooter 2021 Forza 750. Now, the Japanese auto major has unveiled its entire Forza lineup which includes its younger siblings- Forza 350 and Forza 125. While the Forza 350 replaces Forza 300, the Forza 125 continues to serve as the entry-level power scooter in Honda’s portfolio.
The 2021 Forza 350 made its maiden appearance at the Bangkok International Motor Show earlier this year in July. Both scooters are very much similar in design with subtle updates from their predecessors. What’s more interesting is that both scooters might come to India in future.
Honda Forza 350
Forza 125- Design
Starting with the Forza 125, it gets minor cosmetic updates which include a redesigned front and side fairings, rear side panels, a new engine cover and rearview mirrors. The updated design is aimed not only to make it look sleeker but also to improve its aerodynamic attributes. It will be offered in five paint schemes namely- Pearl Cool White, Matt Cynos Grey Metallic, Mat Carnelian Red Metallic, Lucent Silver Metallic and Pearl Nightstar Black.
Features on offer
In terms of features, the equipment list consists of an electric screen, full LED lighting, an Idling Stop system, a Smart Key ignition and an ACG starter. The 2021 Forza 125 gets an updated and re-shaped electric windscreen which can be adjusted for an extra 40mm travel. The updated model also comes with a USB port instead of the ACC 12V charging point present in the previous model.

Powertrain
The updated Forza 125 draws its power from the same 124.9cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine which is now Euro-5 compliant. This unit generates 14.75bhp at 8,750rpm and 12.2Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm and is now equipped with a four-valve version of Honda’s eSP (‘enhanced Smart Power’). It can attain a top speed of 108 kmph.
Forza 350- Powertrain
On the other hand, Forza 350 is powered by a 330cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine replacing the 279cc engine from Forza 300. This unit is capable enough to churn out 28.8bhp at 7500rpm and 31.5Nm of peak torque at 5250rpm.

Apart from increasing the bore and stroke of the cylinder, Honda has also altered the engine with a lighter crankshaft, larger valves and a bigger throttle body. The intake and exhaust ports have also been reconfigured. The Japanese manufacturer claims that the new Forza 350 is quicker than its predecessor and can clock a top speed of 137 kmph.
Design & Features
Speaking of its design as well as features, it is more or less similar to its smaller sibling. It gets a full LED lighting setup and an electrically adjustable windshield with a travel of 180mm. Like Forza 125, Forza 350 is also equipped with Honda’s Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) which is also present in Honda CB350 launched recently. Apart from these, it also gets Honda Smartphone Voice Control as an option.

Both scooters run on a 15-inch front wheel and a 14-inch rear wheel and are offered with disc brakes on both ends with dual-channel ABS as standard. Suspension duties on both are carried out by telescopic forks at front and twin shocks at rear. Forza 350 weighs just a little over 180kg whereas Forza 125 measures 159kg.
Expected India Launch
Forza 125 and Forza 350 are slated to hit the European markets early next year and prices will be announced soon. As for its launch in India, there is no word from Honda as of yet but sources believe that we might see these scooters by the end of 2021. More

Honda CB350
The Honda CB350 accessories list also includes split seats with removable pillion seat

The Honda CB350 retro-classic roadster is designed to be a comfortable tourer with a refined motor, adequate performance and relaxed ergonomics. With its latest product, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) wants to lure potential touring enthusiasts away from Royal Enfield Classic 350.
Honda H’ness CB350 Accessories
In a bid to enhance the H’ness CB350’s appeal, the company has released a range of official accessories. The reasonably priced accessories are aimed at making the motorcycle a more practical long distance tourer. Video below by Abhinav Bhatt explains all the official accessories of Honda CB350 in detail.
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The first item on the accessories list is the side stand kit which is priced INR 375 but it is to be noted that the stock bike itself is equipped with one. The classic butterfly-type crash guards which are one of the essential accessories are priced at INR 1,234 and they are finished in black.
A pair of rubber fork gaiters are priced at INR 581. In addition to providing dust protection to the telescopic front forks, they will go a long way in enhancing the motorcycle’s classic appeal. The saddle stay bars to support the panniers are priced at INR 643 for one side and INR 697 for the other side. Surprisingly, Honda’s official accessories list does not include branded panniers to go with the saddle stays.
No
Honda CB350 Official Accessories
Price Rs
1
Pad, Tank Center
309
2
Side Stand
375
3
Engine Lower Protection
465
4
Fork Gators
581
5
Pannier Support A
643
6
Pannier Support B
697
7
Engine Guard
1,234
8
Split Seat Black
3,705
9
Split Seat Brown
3,705
The fuel tank protector with rubber surface is priced at INR 309 while the engine lower pipe guard is priced at INR 465. The optional two-piece seats are by far the most expensive accessory at INR 3,705. Available in brown and black colour options, the split-seat setup allows the owners to remove the pillion seat to be removed.
Honda H’ness CB350 at a glance
To recap, the Honda CB350 is powered by a 348.3 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine which is tuned to deliver 20.8 hp and 30 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox by means of a slipper clutch. The motorcycle has a kerb weight of 181 kg.
The classic roadster is equipped with traditional front telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers but it also comes with modern features like LED headlights, Bluetooth enabled turn-by-turn navigation and smartphone voice control. The front and rear disc brakes are supported by dual-channel ABS and motorcycle comes with selectable torque control system which prevents the rear from stepping out under hard acceleration.
The Honda H’ness CB350 is priced at INR 1.85 lakh for the base Deluxe variant and 1.90 lakh for the Deluxe Pro variant (prices are ex-showroom). The motorcycle rivals the Royal Enfields and Jawas. More

Honda CB350
Rival to the Royal Enfield Classic 350, new Honda CB350 deliveries have now started in India

In a series of videos, YouTuber Abhinav Bhatt has been providing detailed reviews of his ride experience with recently launched Honda CB350. In this latest upload, Abhinav talks about the motorcycle’s performance on open roads, its cruising speed, top speed, etc.
Honda CB350 cruising speed
According to the rider, Honda CB350 can handle a consistent speed of around 100 kmph. But, it seems to be more comfortable to drive at around 80-90 kmph. However, this is an entirely new bike, so it won’t be appropriate to quote these numbers as facts. Below is the video that details CB350’s performance and handling in the real world.
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It is possible that the bike’s performance may change after it adds more kilometres and completes its initial servicing schedule. Road conditions and riding skills also come into play when determining the comfortable cruising speed of a motorcycle.
A good thing about CB350 is that it is vibration free. According to the rider, he does not feel any vibrations coming from the foot pegs or handlebar. There’s only a slight hint of buzzing from the rear view mirrors. However, this is not something that one cannot live with.
Talking about some of the negative aspects of the motorcycle, the rider says that the seats are slightly hard. The experience is similar with the stiff suspension as well.
This is clearly evident when the bike hits a rough patch on the road. It seems to create an uncomfortable bounce. However, having a stiffer suspension can be beneficial also, as it ensures smooth cornering at high speeds.
As in city traffic and off-roading conditions, using the clutch and changing gears is an effortless experience on open roads as well. In first gear, CB350 can comfortably touch around 15 kmph. In second gear, the bike’s speed can be in the range of 20 to 70 kmph. Third gear easily supports up to 90 kmph. Anything beyond that will be better to tackle with 4th and 5th gear. According to the rider, the fifth gear seems a bit like an overdrive.
Honda CB350 top speed
The top speed clocked by the rider in this test run is 115 kmph. It could have been more, but the rider did not rev it further, as this is a new bike. Also, this bike is made for comfortable cruising and not high-speed racing. Even in case of rival Royal Enfield Classic 350, most users would recommend cruising speed of around 100 kmph.
The rider has said that he will upload some more videos on Honda CB350 in the coming days. Some of these will include night time drive experience, mileage, etc. More

Honda CB350 Off-Road
After posting the first test ride review of Honda CB350, vlogger Abhinav Bhatt has shared yet another exclusive video

Launched in September, Honda CB350 aka the H’ness has been receiving a lot of appreciation from biking enthusiasts. Now that deliveries have commenced, we are also witnessing a number of on-road test drive reports from owners and other users. In this latest ride experience report, YouTuber Abhinav Bhatt tries to find out if Honda CB350 has the capabilities to take on the challenging terrain of high-altitude locations such as Spiti Valley, Leh and Ladakh.
These locations are among the most challenging for any vehicle, as there are several patches of bad roads, loose gravel dirt tracks, and slushy wet mud filled potholes. Extreme weather conditions and low oxygen levels are other factors that can challenge the road worthiness of vehicles at such locations. This is the reason why most auto companies usually test their new vehicles at these places.
Why take CB350 to Leh, Ladakh?
In case of Honda CB350, the Leh, Ladakh challenge is all the more relevant. That’s because its primary rival Royal Enfield motorcycles have already conquered such heights. Royal Enfield motorcycles are among the most preferred vehicles for tours to these locations. As may be recalled, Royal Enfield motorcycles are also used by the Indian Armed Forces at these high-altitude locations.
Due to these reasons, many biking enthusiasts are curious to know if Honda CB350 can take the Leh, Ladakh challenge. Some of the answers are in the below video, in which the rider takes the CB350 on an off-road trip in Aravalli hills near Delhi.
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As can be seen in the video, this off-road track is nowhere close to the rough tracks of Leh, Ladakh. However, it can still be used as a reference point to get a basic idea about how the bike will perform in an off-road environment. The biker had earlier posted a video about riding the CB350 on city streets and highways. In that test ride too, the bike had performed as per expectations.
From his initial experience, the biker feels that Honda CB350 has a relatively harder suspension and seat, as compared to Royal Enfield motorcycles. According to him, this can be a problem for long distance touring. However, apart from that, CB350 seems like a better designed product in comparison to rivals.
Type of off-road track
This off-road track primarily comprises a dirt track with loose top soil. There are bumps and depressions all along the track as well as some patches of rocky terrain. From the rider’s perspective, CB350 has performed exceptionally well on this track. Throughout most of the journey, the motorcycle was being driven at a speed of around 30 kmph. The rider did not attempt higher speeds, as CB350 is not built for high-speed off-roading.

Despite the bumps, the entire journey was quite comfortable. There was no performance issues noticed with CB350. Powering the bike is a 348 cc motor that is capable of generating 21 bhp of max power at 5500 rpm and 30 Nm of max torque at 3000 rpm. That’s slightly more than Royal Enfield Classic 350 that makes 19.1 bhp / 28 Nm. However, Jawa has the max power output in this group at 26 bhp. Both CB350 and Classic 350 have 5-speed transmission whereas Jawa has 6-speed transmission.
Other things that made this journey comfortable include the assist and slipper clutch and the smooth gearbox. Even on the varyingly uneven terrain, using the clutch and changing gears was largely an effortless experience. Another important thing to note is that the gear design makes it possible to change the gears with just your heels. One doesn’t need to put the front of the shoes beneath the gear shaft. This will be useful for folks who may be planning to use CB350 for office commutes.
Real Time Mileage
This test run provides a rough idea about the motorcycle’s fuel efficiency. On the real-time mileage indicator, the numbers show up as 37 kmpl, which is pretty good for a 350 cc motorcycle. Throughout the journey, the thumping sound of the motorcycle is clearly audible. This is another plus for CB350, as the aural experience is one of the primary factors why people prefer rival Royal Enfield motorcycles. CB350’s exhaust note is not as loud as Royal Enfield, but it does give you a sense of riding something powerful.
Problem areas for CB350
Although CB350 seems to outperform its rival in most aspects, the biker feels that it is unlikely to beat Royal Enfield anytime soon. Royal Enfield motorcycles have acquired cult status over the years and there are a lot of emotions involved. It can be said that CB350 is a way too perfect machine whereas Royal Enfield has a more humane character with its mix of goodness and imperfections. Relating to the latter is naturally easier for users.
Another potential problem is that CB350 is being sold via Honda’s premium Big Wing dealerships. These are fairly less in numbers, as compared to Royal Enfield that has wide presence even in small towns and cities. Honda has said that it will increase the number of Big Wing outlets, but that could take time.
Verdict
Overall, the biker feels that Honda CB350 can definitely conquer the heights of Leh, Ladakh. However, he also mentions that all of these are his personal opinions. The experience can vary from user to user based on a range of factors such as riding skills, prejudices, etc. From a business perspective, it’s the sales numbers that ultimately decide the winner. And that will be revealed in the coming months. More